Communications Officer - DPS

585 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; Durant (OK); On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holiday pay

Benefits package

Job summary

585 Department of Public Safety seeks a Communications Officer to operate radio and teletype systems, dispatching essential information to field personnel and officials. The role requires handling emergencies, accessing NCIC/NLETS databases, and maintaining precise logs.

Training and policies guide your work in a fast-paced communications center. You will coordinate with other divisions and agencies, ensuring accurate, timely information dissemination to support law enforcement operations

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required by statute for Communications Dispatcher roles.
• Strong knowledge of radio and telecom equipment and related manuals.
• Experience with interstate or interagency information networks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate radio and teletype equipment to dispatch messages on assigned shifts.
• Access and relay information via OLETS, NLETS, and NCIC to field personnel.
• Maintain logs and records of shift activities accurately.
• Prepare and release messages on incidents, emergencies, and weather conditions.
• Coordinate with divisions and agencies to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

Radio operations

Emergency communications

Interagency coordination

Written communication

Decision making under pressure

Information retrieval systems

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Communications Officer - DPS Agency

Job type: Regular

Full/Part-time: Full time

Compensation: $43,898.80 Annual Salary

Job Description

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the operation of communication equipment in a Department of Public Safety communication center and in providing information to law enforcement officials, other agencies and the general public.

Typical Functions

• Operates radio communication equipment and receives and dispatches radio messages on an assigned shift; provides a communications link for personnel in the field or agency headquarters, other law enforcement officials and related emergency services.
• Operates teletype and computer system to obtain information through the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (OLETS), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) or National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
• Interprets and relays information to field personnel concerning wanted persons, violations of laws and other criminal activities.
• Researches criminal history information as required, including International Police Organization (INTERPOL) data available through the various systems.
• Makes immediate decisions on a wide variety of information received through various sources and disseminates to field personnel, agency officials and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
• Maintains written records and logs of shift activities.
• Composes and releases messages concerning accidents, emergencies, hazardous materials, incidents, weather conditions and similar situations to field offices, news media and other law enforcement, civil defense and emergency services.
• Plans, organizes and directs communication center operations and programs; assists in the development of agency rules, regulations, and policies concerning the use of communications equipment, staff, and systems.
• Coordinates operational and administrative matters with other divisions and agencies, including Highway Patrol troop commanders, civil defense officials, the Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement officials.
• Conducts on-site inspections of communications centers to evaluate operations and personnel and ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Develops and conducts training programs in communications procedures and requirements; collects, prepares, organizes, and edits instructional materials such as manuals, overhead transparencies, course outlines, and cassettes.
• May serve as a member of screening boards in matters related to promotions, hiring, reinstatement and disciplinary actions; represents the agency in matters concerning user agreements and accountability for the operation and security of terminals and use of information.
• Monitors security within the communications center or the facility.

Benefits

• Minimum of 15 days of paid vacation
• 15 days of sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• A comprehensive Benefit Package including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents

Education and Experience

• (Statutory Requirement: 47 O.S. 1998 Supp. Section 2-105.B.2.b.) “2. No person shall be appointed ... unless the person is a citizen of the United States of America, of good moral character, and: b. for any such position in the Communications Division, a person shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall possess a high school diploma or General Education Development equivalency certificate.”

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge of: Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations concerning radio communications; OLETS, NLETS, and NCIC operating manuals; State and federal laws concerning use of criminal records; Agency communications policies and procedures; Office practices and procedures; Spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Ability to: Express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Operate radio and telecommunications equipment; Maintain operating efficiency under emergency and stressful conditions; Maintain effective working relationships with others; Follow complex written instructions; and to type accurately from plain copy at the rate of twenty-five words per minute.

Special Requirements

• This is an emergency communications officer position. It is required to meet 24/7 emergency communications center staffing for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Prior to entry on duty, final candidates will be scheduled for hearing tests by the hiring agency.

Statutory Requirements

• For positions with the Department of Public Safety, upon initial appointment to the position of Communications Dispatcher, the appointed employee shall be required to serve an initial probationary period of twelve (12) months. The Commissioner may extend the probationary period for up to three (3) additional months.
• The Department of Public Safety has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by63 O.S. § 427.8.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Utilizing the Office of Veterans Placement provides eligible veterans additional services and interview opportunities for State of Oklahoma employment.

Agency Contact Oklahoma State Government is the largest employer in the state of Oklahoma, employing over 35,000 diverse and talented employees in more than 100 state agencies, boards and commissions. Our workplaces can be found across the state from Boise City to Idabel, Hollis to Miami, and everywhere in between. Industries: Government Administration Worker Size: 10,001+ Employees Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma